Circuitry arrangement for an electric motor/machine

Abstract

An electric machine has a plurality of phases. A winding is associated with each phase. An interconnection arrangement includes an annular carrier element with a plurality of axial cutouts, each for passage of a portion of a winding and a plurality of concentrically arranged, hollow-cylindrical switching rings. Each switching ring is adapted to contact a winding. The carrier element and the switching rings are adapted to radially positively engage one inside the other in an axial contact zone.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An interconnection arrangement for an electric machine having a plurality of phases, wherein a winding is associated with each phase, the interconnection arrangement comprising:
 an annular carrier element having a plurality of axial cutouts, each of the plurality of axial cutouts configured for passage of a portion of a winding, 
 wherein the annular carrier element has a plurality of axial grooves that extend, respectively, on a portion of a circumference of the annular carrier element, 
 wherein an outer circumferential and an inner circumferential surface of the annular carrier element are uninterrupted; and 
 a plurality of concentrically arranged, hollow-cylindrical switching rings, each hollow-cylindrical switching ring configured to contact a respective winding, 
 wherein respective grooves associated with the hollow-cylindrical switching rings that are radially adjacent are offset in a circumferential direction and respective grooves associated with the hollow-cylindrical switching rings that are radially alternating overlap in the circumferential direction, 
 wherein the annular carrier elemene and the hollow-cylindrical switching rings are configured to radially positively engage one inside the other in an axial contact zone. 
 
     
     
       2. The interconnection arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of axial cutouts of the annular carrier element are configured to allow respective axial ends of hairpin windings to pass through. 
     
     
       3. The interconnection arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein one of the hollow-cylindrical switching rings has corresponding axial projections configured to engage in the plurality of axial grooves. 
     
     
       4. The interconnection arrangement according to  claim 3 , wherein respective grooves associated with radially adjacent switching rings are offset in a circumferential direction such that projections of the switching rings are free from radial overlap. 
     
     
       5. The interconnection arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of axial grooves are distributed in the circumferential direction such that between adjacent projections of radially adjacent hollow-cylindrical switching rings in the circumferential direction there is a portion of the annular carrier element in the circumferential direction in which there are no grooves. 
     
     
       6. The interconnection arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the annular carrier element has a plurality of radial channels configured for passage of a fluid. 
     
     
       7. The interconnection arrangement according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a cover element for axially contacting an axial end of the switching rings which is remote of the annular carrier element, 
 wherein the cover element and the switching rings are configured to radially positively engage one inside the other. 
 
     
     
       8. The interconnection arrangement according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a further switching ring configured to contact a respective winding of the electric machine, 
 wherein the further switching ring is arranged radially inside the cover element. 
 
     
     
       9. An electric machine with an interconnection arrangement comprising:
 an annular carrier element having a plurality of axial cutouts, each of the plurality of axial cutouts configured for passage of a portion of a winding, 
 wherein the annular carrier element has a plurality of axial grooves that extend, respectively, on a portion of a circumference of the annular carrier element; and 
 a plurality of concentrically arranged, hollow-cylindrical switching rings, each hollow-cylindrical switching ring configured to contact a respective winding, 
 wherein respective grooves associated with the hollow-cylindrical switching rings that are radially adjacent are offset in a circumferential direction and respective grooves associated with the hollow-cylindrical switching rings that are radially alternating overlap in the circumferential direction, 
 wherein the annular carrier element and the hollow-cylindrical switching rings are configured to radially positively engage one inside the other in an axial contact zone. 
 
     
     
       10. A process for assembling an interconnection arrangement in an electric machine with a plurality of phases, wherein a winding is associated with each phase, wherein the process includes:
 axially fitting an annular carrier element to axial portions of the winding such that the axial portions extend through cutouts of the carrier element; 
 wherein the annular carrier element has a plurality of axial grooves that extend, respectively, on a portion of a circumference of the annular carrier element, 
 wherein respective grooves associated with radially adjusted hollow-cylindrical switching rings are offset in a circumferential direction and respective grooves associated with radially alternating hollow-cylindrical switching rings overlap in the circumferential direction; 
 bending the axial portions of the winding in circumferential direction; 
 axially fitting the plurality of hollow-cylindrical switching rings concentrically with respect to the carrier element; and 
 electrically connecting each switching ring to axial portions of an associated winding.